Cigarette machines and the like



. JME

Aprll 1957 "r. A. BANNING, JR 2,7 3,004

CIGARETTE MACHINES AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 3, 1955 5P1RALS SPIRALS. I

April 1957 T. A. BANNING, JR

CIGARETTE MACHINES AND THE LIKE s. S heets-Sheet 2 Filed June 5, 1955'Apnl 9, 1957 T. A. BANNING, JR 2 7 004 CIGARETTE MACHINES AND THE LIKEFiled June 3, 1955 3 7 5 f trite The present invention has to do withimprovements in machines for rolling cigarettes and the like. Theconstruction of machine herein disclosed is especially intended forindividual use and is of a size and shape which are very well adaptedfor carrying in the pocket or purse so that the cigarettes can be rolledas needed by the user.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine of very compact formand of convenient arrangement so that it will comply with the desirablefeature of portability, etc., and at the same time to provide a machinecapable of producing cigarettes one after the other without re-fillingor replenishing and up to such number or capacity as may be desirable,for example twenty cigarettes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of sucharrangement that the cigarettes produced thereby will be of a highquality and appearance and finish, and will be well filled with tobacco,and properly sealed and cut-off in a neat and clean-cut manner.

' Another feature of the invention relates to the provi sion of aconstruction of machine which is well adapted for enclosure within acomparatively thin case or housing, since this feature will addmaterially to the attractiveness of the device from the standpoint ofconvenience of portability in the pocket or purse. The necessarycapacity of the machine may then be produced by properly proportioningthe length and width of the case, but this can also be done in such amanner as not to detract from the features of convenience ofportability, etc., already referred to.

In connection with the foregoing it will be understood that provisionmust be made for accommodation of a paper strip of the necessary widthfor the production of the rolled cigarettes, such width generally beinggreater than the thickness which is desirable for use in the completedcase. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide anarrangement in which the thickness of the machine may be substantiallyless than the width of the paper strip used in the production of thecigarettes.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of an improvedform of cut-ofl? device for cutting ofl? the completed cigarettes asthey are delivered to the user. In this connection, said cut-ofl deviceoperates to sever the formed cigarette at a position immediately beyondthe delivery end of the horn in which the cigarette is formed; and it isan object and feature of the invention to provide an arrangement inwhich this cut-off device normally stands across the delivery end of thehorn so as to close or seal the same except when the machine is to beused for the production of a cigarette.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of a machinewhich may be used with cartons or cartridges of tobacco of special sizeand shape so that the proper operation of the machine requires that itshall be supplied with tobacco in such cartons.

In this connection, it is an object to provide an arrangement such thatin the absence of such a special carton or package of tobacco, themachine is rendered inoperative and cannot be used with ordinary tobaccoin bulk. When the machine is arranged in the above manner, the insertionof such special cartonor. cartridgerenders the machine operative so thatit can be used.

States Patent a proper package or carton of tobacco is inserted into themachine, thus rendering the machine operative.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of anarrangement in which the paper strip is continuously rolled around thetobacco supplied into the strip as the cigarette rolling operationproceeds; and in this connection it is an object to provide anarrangement in which the paper rolling operation is performed from oneside or edge of the paper strip as distinguished from both sides oredges thereof, the result being the production of a spirally woundcigarette.

enclosing the tobacco therein is performed without the necessity ofdeflecting or distorting the paper of the strip in any unnatural manner,and without any tendency to crimp or flex the paper in an undesirablemannen. Such an arrangement is to be clearly distinguished from one inwhich the paper strip is rolled or folded from both: edges or corners,during the tobacco enclosing operation as such arrangement tends torequire an unnatural manipulation especially when performed within ashort distance such as is available within the confines of a relativelysmall or pocket size machine.

The rolling of the cigarettes in spiral fashion results in theproduction of a spiral seam or overlap of the edge portions of the paperstrip after the tobacco has been enclosed Within the strip. In thisconnection it is an object to provide an arrangement in which theadvancing and spirally forming cigarette is also rotating at acorresponding rate of rotation so that the position of the spiraloverlap remains unchanged at the point Where the advancing formedcigarette is being delivered from the horn. For this reason, it ispossible to provide means for sealing the same by a properly locatedsealing wickor moistener which operates on the overlapping portion ofthe cigarette at the proper position.

In connection with the foregoing, the rate of rotation of the advancingand forming cigarette depends among other things upon the angle of thespiral for which the machine is designed. It is an object of theinvention to so arrange this angle that the position of the overlap willbe conveniently located as the formed cigarette emerges from the hornand at the position of moistening, so "that the morstener can be locatedfor direct application of the,

moisture to the seam; and at the same time tov so arrange the parts thatthe formed cigarette can be readily grasped and conveniently manipulatedduring the delivery thereof. from the horn.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of anarrangement such that the water tank can be readily and convenientlyrepienished from time-to time, and also an arrangement such that thetobacco and supply of paper is completely exhaustema new paper stripsupply may be readily attached thereto and ,drawn into the machine so asto maintain the continuity of the operation and without the necessity ofcompletely rethreading the paper through the machine.

Another feature of the invention relates to the pro vision of a paperstrip or web having its end portions,

formed on a bevel corresponding to the angle at Whichthe paper isspiraled during thecigare tte. forming oper; ation, so that the firstcigarette to-ccme through the ma chine will have the end of its paperenclosure squared:

Patented Apr.

In this connection, it is an object to so manipulate the paper stripthat the act of or at right angles to the axis of the cigarette, and sothat the paper strips successively drawn through the machine in thefeatures of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter describedand claimed.

In the drawings:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of. a completed machine. in itsclosed condition and standing upright as it might be carried in thepocket;

Figure 2 shows a view corresponding to Figure 1, except that the machinehas. been turned into the horizontal position and has been opened so asto give access to the delivery horn;

s Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a special package or carton oftobacco intended for use in the machine of Figures .1 and 2;

Figure '4 shows a view similar to Figure 3, withthe exception that theend of the package has been opened and the spring presser plate has beenslipped down along one edge of the package;

Figure 5 shows a face view of a short section of the paper strip or webunrolled from a roll thereof;

Figure 6 shows a side face view corresponding to Figurc 2;

Figure 7 shows a front end view corresponding to Fig ure 6;

Figure 8 shows a back end view corresponding to Figure 6;

T Figure 9 shows a vertical longitudinal section through the machinebeing taken on the lines 9-9 of Figures ll), ll, l2, 13, 14, 15, 16, and1.7, looking in the dircctions of the arrows;

Figure 10 shows a horizontal section on the line 10 10 of Figure 9,looking in the direction of the arrows;

V Figure 11 shows a horizontal section on the line 11- 11 of Figure 9,looking in the direction of the arrows; Figure 12 shows a verticaltransverse section on the lines 1'2-1'2 of Figures 9, 10, and 11,looking in the directions of. the arrows;

Figure 13 shows a transverse section on the lines 13- 13' of Figures 9,l0, and ll, looking in the directions of the arrows;

. Figure 14 shows a transverse section on the lines 14- 14 of Figures 9,l0, and 11, looking in the directions of the arrows;

Figure 15 shows a fragmentary horizontal section on the line 15-15 ofFigure 9, looking in the direction of the. arrows;

Figure 16 shows a fragmentary horizontal section on the line 16-16 ofFigure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 17 shows a fragmentary horizontal section on the line 17l7 ofFigure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows, the rear clip beingremoved for the introduction of the paper strip;

Figure .18 shows face 'views of portions of two paper strips in endsequence 'to'each other, the central portion of one of the strips beingbroken away so as to shorten the figure; g

I Figure 19 shows a face development view of the metal blank used forthe horn of the cigarette former;

Figure .20 shows a face development view of the blank for-one of, theside plates;

"Figure 21 shows a face development view ofthc blank for the centralpartition;

t Figure 22 shows a face development view of the blank for the papercompartment partition; and

Figure 23 shows a face view of a length of completed spirally wrappedcigarettes embodying the features of the present invention.

In the machine illustrated herein, there is provided a former or twister25 within which the paper is wrapped around the tobacco in order to formthe cylindrical cigarette. This former is conveniently made of sheetmetal comprising a blank 26 of the general form shown in Figure 19. Theblank includes a body portion 27 having one edge portion 28 folded downalong the folded lines 29 and its opposite edge portion 30 folded downtowards the same face of the blank along the folded lines 31. The foldedlines 29 and 31 are parallel to each other and the distance between themis equal to or slightly greater than the width of the paper strip or webwhich is used in the cigarette forming operation.

The direction of travel of the paper along the former is shown by thearrow in Figure 19. Said direction lies at an angle to the principal.length or dimension of the blank.

The edge portion 28 is preferably tapered as shown in Figure 19 so that.its- Width. is greater at the entering end 32 than at the leaving and33.

The two edge portions 28 and 30 are folded down close to the bodysurface of the blank 27, but in this operation there is left a slightclearance between these folded over portions and the body portionsufi'icient to receive the thickness of the paper strip or web and holdit smooth during its travel but without binding.

After these edge portions have been folded over in the above manner, theentire blank is rolled about an axis paralled to the direction of paperweb travel-that is, parallel. to the arrow 34' in. Figure l9--anddiameter of the cylinder on which the blank is thus rolled is equal tothe diameter of the cigarette to be produced.

The blank 27 is also provided with an extension or lug 35 at itsdelivery end which is of such width as to encircle the forming anddelivering cigarette and establish in effect a continuation of theformer or twister within which. continuation the cigarette is guidedduring its travel immediately before its delivery. This extension 35 is.provided with the elongated openings 36 and 37 which are so placed as tobe opposite to each other in the horn 38 (see Figures 2, 6, 9, l0, and11).

The appearance of the completed former or twister is well shown inFigures 9 and 11, in particular, 'and the effect of folding the edgeportions 28 and 30 over towards each other .iswell shown in. Figures 13and. 14 in particular. The paper' strip or web enters at the end closestto the lug 32 and at. the: beginning of such entry it will be seen thatthere is no twist or curve in the former or twister but that the paperlays flat against the surface of a lug 39 projecting; endwise from theblank 27. At the position of such. entrance, the paper is supported andguided throughout its entire width as clearly evident from Figure 9.inwhichit will beseen that the lug 32 comes into close proximity to thelug 30, both of said lugs lying close to the face of the blank 27. Thenas the paper strip advances, its upper edge lies close to the foldededge 29' and travels parallel thereto, and the other edge of the paperstrip or web lies close to the folded edge 31 and"v travels parallelthereto; but since the former is curled over from its corner 40 in themanner already explained, it follows that the edge 31 is carried up andcurled around as the paper strip or web advances until finally when thehorn 35 is reached, said edge of the strip has been carried up and overand lapped somewhat against the opposite edge of the strip and theformed and lapped tubular paper enclosure is then delivered out throughthe horn 38 as a spirally twisted tubular paper enclosure.

1 As the paper enclosure continues to advance in the direction of thearrow 34, it continues to rotate at a spiral angularity dependent uponthe angle of the arrow 34 with respect to the edge 29. Examination andcompari son of Figures 9, 10, and ll, shows that at the instant thelapping operation is completed, the seam lies at the side of the twisteror former and against the end portion 33 of the edge lug 29. As theformed cigarette continues to travel through the horn 35 and emergestherefrom, a rotating operation continues so that at a position at orslightly beyond the delivery end of the horn 38, the lap or seam hastwisted around to the bottom of the device at a point where it may beconveniently sealed by the sealer presently to be described.

Preferably a sheet or blank 41 is secured against the top face of theformer or twister 25, such attachment being conveniently effected bymeans of two or three small rivets 42 (see Figures 9, 10, 11, 13, 14,and 21). This blank 41 is notched or recessed at one side as shown at 43so that there is established an elongated opening 44 facing down intothe former or twister 25 at a point where the tobacco will feed down andonto the advancing paper strip or web so as to be carried along androlled into the advancing paper in order to form the cigarette.

This blank 41 preferably has its front end turned up into a verticalposition to establish a partition 45 constituting the front end of thetobacco hopper or chamber 46.

There is also an L-shaped partition 47 reaching up from the floor of thedevice and extending across the lower corner thereof as shown at 48 inFigure 9 in particular. This partition establishes a small chamber 49within which is placed the roll of paper 50 from which the web or stripis drawn and enters the former or twister.

Preferably, the above partitions are contained between a pair of sideplates 51 and 52 of the general form shown in the blank illustrated inFigure 20. As a matter of convenience in construction, the blanks 41 and47 are provided with side lugs 53, 54, 55, and 56, which engage smallslotted openings 57 and 58 formed in the side plates, the lugs beingclinched over on the outsides of the plates so as to establish a rigidself-contained unit device.

The lug 39 at the entering end of the former or twister extends overinto the paper compartment 49 and is normally pressed over into theposition shown in Figures and ll under a slight spring pressure; and theadjacent edge portion of the blank 47 is preferably provided with a lugor lip 59 (see Figures 9, 10, ll, 17, and 22) which assists in guidingthe paper strip moving from the compartment 4% into the former ortwister. It will be understood that the blank 27 is preferably made ofrelatively light springy sheet metal and the pressure between the lugs39 and 59 is relatively light and springy so that only suflicientpressure is placed upon the paper web to insure that it shall enter theformer in a smooth and even manner but without material resistance toits travel.

The lug 39 normally tends to deflect away from the lug 59 as shown inFigure 17 when it is released so as to establish a slight opening 60through which the paper web or strip can be initially easily introducedinto the former or twister; and after such introduction, the lug 39 maybe deflected over towards the lug 59 so as to establish the desiredfrictional contact with the paper web.

The operating unit so far described is located within a convenient caseor housing designated in its entirety by the numeral 61. It includes theside faces 62 and 63, the top 64, bottom 65, front end 66, and rear endcomprising the removable plate 67 for the tobacco hopper and theremovable plate 68 for the paper chamber 49. It will be noted that whenthe unit is set into the case or housing, there is left a substantialspace under the front portion of the former or twister, and a moisteningor water tank 69 of triangular shape is conveniently located therein.This tank is of the full width of the case and is of maximum size at itsfront or delivery end and tapers down to a shallow form at its lower ornear end.

A wick 70 of suitable material such as felt or the like reaches downinto the body of the tank and extends up and terminates at a positionimmediately in advance of the delivery end of the horn 38. Consequently,the overlapped portion of the advancing and forming tubular cigarettewill travel in contact with the wick and be moistened and sealedthereby.

The side plates 51 and 52 and the side walls 62 and 63 of the case areprovided with slotted openings 71 parallel to the born 38 and givingaccess thereto in such a manner that the side openings 36 and 37 areconveniently available so that the user can reach in with his thumb andforefinger and take a hold of the formed portion of the tubularcigarette lying within the horn 38 and start it out beyond the horn asshown by the dotted lines 72 in Figure 6; and after the delivery of thecigarette has been thus started, the projecting portion thereof can bereadily grasped and pulled out to whatever length the user desires. Asthe forming cigarette is thus pulled out, it will be twisting orrotating, but the total amount of such twist in the length of anordinary cigarette is not so great but that the operation is veryconveniently performed, the user twisting his fingers slightly as thecigarette is pulled out. At the same time, the overlapping portion istravelling in contact with the wick 70 and the sealing operation thusproceeds continuously.

Preferably the water tank 69 is provided with a removable screw 73 whichcan be conveniently removed from time to time in order to fill the tankby the use of an eye-dropper or the like.

There is a small compartment 74 located in the upper forward portion ofthe device in advance of the partition 45 and above the horn 38. A smalllever arm 75 is located within this chamber 74, one end of said leverarm being pivoted to the plate 51 at the point 76, and the other end ofthe lever arm extending out through a slotted opening 77 and providing abutton or finger-piece 78, by means of which the lever can beconveniently rocked up and down.

A circular cut-off blade 79 is pivoted to the lever arm 75 on the pin80, and a small pinion 81 is connected to the circular cut-off blade 79and meshes with a curved stationary rack 82 (see Figures 7 and 12 inparticular). With this arrangement, as the lever arm 75 is moved up anddown, the blade 79 is rotated and such rotation is coincident with themovement of the blades across the path of the formed cigarette andimmediately in advance of the horn 38. It will also be noted that whenthe lever 75 is moved down into the position of Figures 2, 7, and 12,the blade covers over and obstructs the end of the horn 38 so that theformed cigarette cannot be delivered therefrom, such delivery only beingpermitted when the blade is raised by raising the lever arm 75.Furthermore, the proportions of the pinion 81 and curved rack 82 may besuch that the rack does not interfere with the proper outward travel ofthe formed cigarette from the horn 38. I

If desired, a cover or the like 83 may be provided for normallyenclosing the slotted opening 71 and the horn 38 etc. In the arrangementillustrated, this cover 83 is hinged to the top 64 along the line 84 sothat when the cover is turned down into the closed position of Figure 1,it performs the desired function. Incidentally, this cover is providedwith a curved slotted opening 85 to accommodate the projectingfinger-piece or button 78 so. as to properly accommodate the same; andwhen the cover is closed as in Figure 1, said finger piece 78 cannot beinadvertently moved around either up or down but is engaged by the slot85 as to prevent such movement.

The back section 68 is U-shaped as best shown in Figures 1, 2, 6, 8, 10,and 11, including the side fingers 86 and 87. When the clip 68 is setint-o place, it embraces the rear end portions of the side plate 52 andthe projecting lug-39 of the blank 27' so as to draw said lug- 39 overinto the position of Figures and llto properly grasp the paperweb. Uponremoving the clip 68, the lug 39 is released allowing it to spring outinto the position of Figure 17, and at the same time the chamber 49 isexposed so that the paper roll 50 can be inserted or removed,

The paper strip is of the form shown at 88 in Figure 5. It is providedwith a gummed edge portion 89 along one edge, and is also preferablyprovided with a gnmmed edge portion 90 at its front end. Preferably,also, the strip or web is marked as shown at 91, 92, 93, etc. todesignate the proper points of cut-off for cigarettes of standard length(two and three-fourths inches). The beginning end of the strip 88 isbevelled as shown at figure 5 on an angle corresponding to the angle ofthe arrow 34 with respect to the folded edge 29; and the dotted line 94in Figure 5 likewise parallel to the direction of the arrow 34that is,parallel to the direction of travel.

When the device is originally threaded up with the paper web, this caneasily be done by starting the web into the former or twister 25, theclip 68 having been removed, and the paper strip can be worked throughuntil it projects out from the horn 38. When it is desired tosubsequently renew this paper strip, this should be done by attachingthe front end 90 of a new strip 88 (see Figure 18) so that the new stripwill be drawn in through the former or twister without difiiculty (andwithout the need of emptying all of the tobacco out of the machine).

The removable plate 67 is provided with a plate 95 reaching inwardlytherefrom at right angles and close to the upper edge of the plate 67.This plate 95 reaches over close to the front end partition 45. There isalso a spring presser plate 96 of substantially the samedimensions asthe plate 95. A central semi-elliptic spring 97 has its central portionriveted to the plate 95 at 98 and its ends are received in clips 99 and160 on the plate 96. There is also a pair of semi-elliptic springs 101and 102 having their central portions riveted to the plate 96 as shownat 103 and the ends of these springs are received in clips 104 and 105on the plate 95.

One end of the spring 97 is provided with a lateral enlargement 1G6 (seeFigure and the other end is provided with a hook 107 (see Figure 9); andthe ends of the springs 101 and 1922 close to the lateral enlargement196 are provided with hooks 198 (see Figure 9) and the other ends of thesprings 101 and 192 are con nccted together by a cross connection 199(see Figure With the above arrangement, when the presser plate 96 ismoved close up to the plate 95, the presser plate 96 may be shiftedendwise in one direction so as to cause the hooks 197 and 108 to engagethe lateral extensions 106 and 109 of the other springs, thus lockingthe spring prcsser plate close to the plate 95 and with the springsunder compression. Thereafter, by a slight movement of the plates in theopposite direction with respect to each other, the hooks and lateralenlargements will be disengaged and the springs will be again allowed toperform their function and the spring pre ser plate will be pressed outso as to exert a pressure on the tobacco in the hopper 46 for thepurpose of feeding it down into the former or twister.

The plate 96 is provided with the lateral lugs or hooks 110 and 111 (seeFigure 15) which will engage with the proper stationary parts in orderto cause the shifting of the plate 96 with respect to the plate 95 atthe proper time.

lt is intended that the present device shall be used with a package orcartridge of tobacco of the proper size and shape to fit into the hopper46, and it is intended that the device shall be locked or inoperativeexcept when used with such special package or carton of tobacco.

Such a package of tobacco is shown at 112 in Figures 3 and 4. It isprovided with a tab 113 at one end by means of which it can beconveniently opened at that end as shown in Figure 4 so as to expose thetobacco 114, and there is also illustrated a revenue stamp 115 whichwill be mutilated or destroyed during the opening operation in thefamiliar manner.

Upon opening the package as shown in Figure 4, and having locked theplates and 96 close together in the manner already explained, the twoplates 95 and 96 may he slipped down at one edge of the package ortobacco 112 as shown in Figure 4 until the lugs and 111 do not quitestrike the torn off edge of the paper package. Then the package,together with the spring clips thus set into place, may be turned atright angles to the position of Figure 4 and the edge portion 116 may betorn off, and then the assembled unit can be slipped into the hopper 46of the inverted machine; and as this operation is completed, the end ofthe package 112 will strike against the partition 45 (or against someother object) so that the further movement of the package 112 will bearrested; and then as the plate 67 is forced home, the lugs 116 and 111will be engaged against the edges of the paper package so that the plate96 will be held against movement while the plate 95 continues a slightmovement and thus the springs will be unhooked from each other andpermitted to exert spring pressure on the tobacco, forcing it towardsthe opening 44 which leads into the former or twister. Thereafter, themachine may be used for the rolling of cigarettes in the mannerintended.

From the above it will be seen that the proper disengagement of thespring presser plate in order to insure proper feed of the tobacco underspring pressure is dependent upon the use of a proper package of tobaccosince the spring presscr plate 96 is only released in its movement byengagement of the lugs 119 and 111 with the paper package for thetobacco.

I have also provided in the present machine means for locking thecut-off lever 75 in the closed position of Figure 12, except when aproper package of tobacco is inserted into the machine. This means takesthe form of a spring finger or clip 117 which has one end riveted orotherwise secured to the partition 45 inside of the tobacco hopper orchamber 46 (see Figure 16). The other end of this spring finger 117carries a finger 118 which reaches through an opening of the partition45 and is then turned downwardly as best shown in Figures 7, 9, and 12,and normally stands in the path of travel of the lever 75. Consequently, in the absence of a proper package of tobacco within thehopper 46, the finger 118 stands in such a position that the lever 75cannot be raised so as to raise the cut-off plate 79 away from the horn33 of the former or twister, and under such conditions the device isinoperative. Furthermore, the introduction of bulk tobacco into thehopper 46 under these conditions will not exert such a pressure on thespring finger 117 as is necessary to cause an unlocking or releaseaction.

Upon introducing a properly shaped and size package of tobacco, the endof the same will press against the spring finger 117, thus moving thefinger 113 cndwisc into the position of Figure 9, and away from thelever 75 or a projection thereof so that said lever can then be raisedin order to operate the cutoff device and also to expose the deliveryend of the horn 38.

It will of course be understood that if desired, the spring finger 117and the locking finger 1118 might be eliminated, and other means beprovided for feeding the tobacco into the opening 44, thus making itpossible to use the device for the rolling of cigarettes from bulktobacco instead of tobacco from a specially shaped and sized package.

While I have herein shown and described only certain embodiments of thefeatures of my present invention, still I do not intend to limit myselfthereto except as I may do so in the claims.

Another embodiment of the cigarette roller or former is also disclosedin my co-pending application for patent on Improvements in CigaretteMachines and the Like, Serial No. 516,633, filed June 20, 1955, whichapplication carries claims on cigarette rollers or formers and relatedelements in other language than the present case.

I claim:

1. A cigarette roller including in combination a cigarette formercomprising a sheet metal blank of generally rectangular elongated shapehaving one end horn producing portion extended upwardly and forwardly atthe horn angle to the central axis of the blank, said angle beingsubstantially the angle of spiral of a spirally wrapped cigarette to beproduced by use of said cigarette former, a portion of said blank beingof tubular form comprising the end horn producing portion and theproximate lower forward corner portion of the blank, said tubularportion comprising a horn of diameter substantially the same as thediameter of a cigarette to be produced by said cigarette former, and thecorner portion of the blank which is in connection with said tubularhorn being curled about the backwardly extended axis of the horn on aradius of curvature substantially the same as the radius of the tubularhorn, said so-curled corner portion of the blank merging with thenon-curled and flat portion of the blank on a line lying parallel to theaxis of the horn and intersecting the lower edge of the blank at alocation in advance of a vertical flat cigarette paper roll supportingloca tion, said paper roll supporting section being substantiallyrectangular and having its central axis at right angles to the centralaxis of the blank, and being of dimension in the direction of thecentral axis of the blank to accommodate the diameter of a roll ofcigarette paper for use in the device, and being of vertical dimensionto accommodate the length of the paper roll and width of the paperstrip, a substantially rectangular housing enclosure having parallelside walls separated from each other a distance to accommodate thediameter of the paper roll, and the diameter of the horn and the curledportion of the blank, said housing including a top and a bottom and afront wall, the cigarette former being seated within the lower portionof the housing and in proximity to the housing bottom with the flatportion of the cigarette former in substantially flat engagement withone of the side walls of the housing and with the horn extending towardthe front of the housing, a vertical partition extending transverselywithin the housing between its side walls and at a location above thehorn of the cigarette former, and providing a vertical chamber in thehousing above the born, the front lower portion of the housing sidewalls and bottom being cut away to provide a transversely extendingrecess in the lower front portion of the housing enclosure, the hornextending into said recess and being therein exposed and accessible tothe hand of the user at a location beneath the vertical front chamberaforesaid, a floor extending across the Width of the housing enclosureabove the curled portion of the cigarette former commencingsubstantially at the location of the merging of the edge of the curledportion with the flat portion, said floor being provided with an openingadjacent to the flat portion of the cigarette former and establishingcommunication from a tobacco containing space within the housingenclosure above said floor to the cigarette former for feed of tobaccofrom said space to a paper strip lying and travelling within the former,and a paper roll compartment partition member extending across the Widthof the enclosure at the location of the vertical flat cigarette paperroll supporting location and including a vertical front wall and a top,the vertical front wall of said compartment partition having its edgewhich is proximate to the surface of the cigarette former unconnected tosaid flat portion of the cigarette former to permit forward advance ofpaper strip from the paper roll compartment into the cigarette former.

2. Means as defined in claim 1, wherein the flat portion of the blank isof greater vertical dimension along that portion of its top edge whichlies forwardly of the paper roll supporting section than the verticaldimension of said paper roll supporting section, and wherein saidgreater vertical dimension top edge portion is folded down and parallelto and slightly separated from the cigarette paper guiding surface ofthe blank to establish a thin paper receiving and guiding passagewayhaving its rear end located adjacent to the front of the paper rollsupporting section to receive and guide the top edge portion of thepaper strip advancing into the cigarette former, and wherein the loweredge portion of the blank in advance of said paper roll supportingsection is folded upwards and parallel to and slightly separated fromthe cigarette paper guiding surface of the blank to establish a thinpaper receiving and guiding passageway extending along the curled edgeof the cigarette former from the location of the paper roll supportingsection to a location close to the proximate end of the horn.

3. Means as defined in claim 1, wherein the cigarette former is seatedwithin the housing with the axis of the horn and the curled cornerportion of the cigarette former extending upwardly and forwardly at anangle from the horizontal substantially the same as the angle of spiralof the spirally wrapped cigarette produced by such cigarette former.

4. Means as defined in claim 1, wherein the horn is located above thebottom of the housing, and wherein the curled edge portion of thecigarette former delivers the proximate edge of the paper strip intooverlapping engagement with the opposite edge portion of the paperstrip, and wherein the wrapped and formed cigarette ad vancing throughthe horn has the edge portions of its paper wrapping of spiral formationalong the length of the cigarette, and wherein the spiralled edgeportions of such wrapping emerge from the horn with the overlapped edgeportions facing downwardly, together with means located between thehousing floor and the born to moisten the overlapped edge portionsaforesaid at a location beyond and in proximity to the delivery end ofthe horn.

5. Means as defined in claim 4, wherein said moistening means includes acontainer for water located between the housing floor and the lowerportion of the cigarette former, and a wick extending from the interiorof such container to a point of paper strip edge moistening outside ofand in proximity to the delivery end of the horn.

6. Means as defined in claim 4, together with means located within thevertical chamber which is above the horn to cut-oif the deliveredcigarette at a point beyond and in close proximity to the delivery endof the horn, said cutting means including a knife having a cutting edge,movable means to support the knife, and means to movably support suchmovable means within the vertical chamber including means to move theknife through a path of movement across the path of the cigarette lengthdelivered from the horn.

7. Means as defined in claim 6, wherein the movable means to support theknife includes a pivotal connection between the knife and suchsupporting means, and wherein the means which movably supports themovable knife supporting means includes a pivotal'connection between thesupporting means and the housing, whereby the pivotal knife support maybe rocked about a pivotal connection to the housing during movement ofthe knife across the delivery path of the cigairette.

8. Means as defined in claim 1, together with resilient means within thetobacco containing space acting in direction to urge movement of tobaccocontained within said space towards the opening in the floor and throughsuch opening into the cigarette former unit.

No references cited.

